By Betsy Finklea
Based on the questions that The Dillon Herald has received, there seems to be confusion among some about the basics of the Dillon County budget. Below are some of the questions that we have received:

Q. How much is the budget?
A.  The total general operating budget is $18,101,133 for 2015-2016, a reduction of 2.7 percent from last year’s budget of $18,573,113.

Q. Why was the budget reduced?
A. The budget was reduced because:
– $446,790 that was taken out of the fund balance/cash reserves last year for a one-time contribution to Harbor Freight Tools and other projects was not included in the 2015-2016 budget.
– There was an approximately $400,000 decrease in the revenue received for federal inmates which was not included in the 2015-2016 budget.

Q. Were there any gains of revenue in the budget?
A. The budget shows a gain of approximately $200,000 in Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Q. Does the budget include a tax increase, and how will it affect citizens?
A. There is a two mill tax increase. Here are some examples of how it will affect citizens:
-On a $25,000 vehicle, the increase will be $3.00 per year.
-On a $65,000 owner-occupied home, the increase will be $5.20 per year.
-On a $100,000 owner-occupied home, the increase will be $8.00 per year.

Q. How will the tax increase affect industries?
A. On a $6,000,000 industrial building and equipment, the increase will be $1,260 per year.
The millage increase will not affect the following who pay a fee-in-lieu of taxes:
-Harbor Freight Landlord (SC) LLC
-LMJ Associates LP – Franco
-Dillon Furniture Manufacturing Company (limited payment)
-Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc.
-Wyman-Gordon (will pay a fee-in-lieu of taxes)

Q. What is the tax increase being used for?
A. The tax increase will primarily fund bonuses for county employees. This will fund a $500 lump sum bonus for full-time employees in addition to the $700 Christmas bonus they already receive. Part-time employees will receive a $250 lump sum bonus in addition to their $350 Christmas bonus.

Q. When is the last time that the Dillon County Council raised taxes?
A. Six years ago.

Q. Were any services cut from the previous year?
A. No. Dillon County Citizens are provided the same services in the 2015-2016 budget year that they had in the 2014-2015 budget year.

Q. Were any services added?
A. No. When the final budget was passed, no new services were added. Proposals, such as an engineer for Station 5 and an engineer for Station 6,were not included in the final vote on the budget even though they were included and passed on a previous reading.

Q. Did the budget include $50,000 for the golf course?
A. The budget included $50,000 for recreation in the City of Dillon, $15,000 for recreation in the Town of Latta, and $10,000 for recreation in the Town of Lake View. The amount is based on population. The funds are given for each municipality to do with as they see fit for their recreation program. The City of Dillon elects to use their funds for the golf course, but they could use it on any aspect of their recreation program.

Q. Is this budget significantly different from last year?
A. No. The budget is similar to those of past years.

Q. What was the final vote on the budget?
A. Chairman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr., Councilman Randy Goings, Councilman Bobby Moody, and Councilman Harold Moody voted in favor of the budget. Councilman Robbie Coward, Councilman Stevie Grice, and Councilman Archie Scott voted against the budget.

Q. Where can I find out more information on the budget?
A. A copy of the budget can be obtained from the Dillon County Council Office, located at 109 South Third Avenue, Dillon. Also, please visit www.thedillonherald.com where one can view two of the budget workshops, the meeting of the final reading of the budget, and other county council meetings.